The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-04-22

the river, and, recognizing The fact
that the brigade was now helpless,
he saw with keen perception the
fate which awaited the city.
"Absorbed as he had been il
contemplating the awful scene be-
fore him, Everett had not lost sight
of the doom which was hanging
over him. Clutching at straws like
drowning man, the thought oc
CURED to him that if the city was to
be destroyed there might, in the
confusion, be a chance of escape for
hIm. In the tremendous wreck and
ruin of that night and the day
which was to follow, what would
one more or less human wreck
amount tot If Chicago was to go
down in whirlwind of fame, wip-
ing out fortunes, records, land
marks, business, and probably many
individuals, could there not be
some escape tor him 7 Filled with
these reflections, but hardly know
ing what to dc or how his deliver.
ance was 10 come, he almost ran to
The sOath division, FASTENED through
its already smoking streets, aud,
Joining the mad throng OF terror
stricken people, pushed rapidly Oh
toward his home ia North Dearborn
street. There, at least, he could
gaiu a few minutes for reflection
aud decision.
"There we're lights in many
houses, but in his own all was dark.
Some people were already moving
their valuabes, but there was no
signs of activity about his own
premises. Almost distracted with
fear and with hand so nervous
that be could hardly hold the key
he opened the door and entered.
A lamp burning low stood Gil the
back parlor table, but no one ap
peared, aud when he called out
there was no answer. Bounding
up the stairs he quickly searched
every room in vain, and then, re
turning 10 the lower floor, he saw
on the table tor the first time note
from his wife, in which she inform
ed him that she had left him,
and that it would do him no good
to search for her. 1t was dated 6
y. M, and mast have been written
soon after bis departure in the eve
Mug.
'.FOr q moment the man was daz.
ed and he sat clutchiug the paper,
unmiudfnl ot the red glare that was
now brighteniug everything in the
room, ard even illuminating bis |
sorrow -burdened face. He had
of escape, ola rnse of some
kind, and OF a chance in IA new field
of redeeming himself, but all bis
hopes had been associated with her
who was now lost to him. Walk
ing quickly to the window he look
ed out on the blazing city. In the
presence of such devastation his
own wreck seemed ut first lnSiSni6-
cant, aud he smiled grimly at the
thought that thousands were going
down that night into ruin in one
form or another that might be as
hopeless as that whlth Overshad- |
owed him. Then came despair and |
sorrow, rem0rse and self cUndemna-
ion. Why live in Il world in which
ne was dOubly disgraced ? Why |
rot leave 1t now in this storm of
ire, aud, in the mighty wrath Of
he night, go out into the unknown,
no sign and leaving no
race9
"He raised window, and, as
he angry rOarS came up from the
now lined with rushing
,eople, new courage took possession
# him. He telt equal to any einer
.ency. He could face death in any
orm it need be, but he would not
i'd to his other crimes and short
omings the sin of self mnrder.
The revolver which he had held in
lis hands flashed in the light OF the
urd heavens, aud, as he laid 1t
Iown, he felt such relief as one eX-
,eriences on awakening from bid
ous dream. The resolution to live
ad taken possession OF him, aud
e was on the point of gathering
m the few things which lie could
AIRY with him in bis flight when he
Ieard the front door open and close
nd the sound of voices coming mp
rom the ball. A feeling of alar m
ook control of him. Tue perspira-
ion stood out on his brow, and as
le crept on tip-tOe to the balnstrade
nd peered over he clutched the
discarded revolver and listened
With hated breath TO determine, If
possible. who his visitors we're. A
minute later his worst fears were
ealized. His wife, driven trom
efuge, aud in the company, evil
Ieutly, of the man who had always
xercised an evil influence over her,
ad returned, perhaps in tue hope
bat her husband bad not yet re-
eiyed the note aud with the ex .
OF pOstponiDg her night
0 another time.
"It was while Everett was listen
lg in this attitude and with these
bOughis cOursing through bis
hind that he heard the woman say {
bat the note was gone heaui Sal !
er, the Junior member Of the firm 9
D which be was Delinquent, a
lugh sueeringly and say some E
hing intended TO be humorous; :
.a,.d botb coreult as 10 the adviS- 4